New Tariffs Started Today: What Importers from China, South Korea and Vietnam Will Actually Pay

New Section 301 Tariffs Effective July 24, 2026: China, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam Explained

Beginning July 24, 2026, the United States imposed new Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 economies in response to their forced-labor import policies. Depending on the country, covered merchandise is subject to a 10% or 12.5% tariff, with certain products exempted.

However, the new tariff does not calculate the same way for every country.

NEW TARIFFS EFFECTIVE JULY 24, 2026

China: +12.5%
South Korea: 12.5% minimum combined rate
Taiwan: 10% minimum combined rate
Vietnam: +12.5%

China: An Additional 12.5%

For covered products from China, the new tariff is an additional 12.5%.

This means it may stack on top of:

  • The product’s regular customs duty
  • Existing China Section 301 tariffs
  • Antidumping or countervailing duties
  • Other applicable trade-remedy duties

For example:

Duty typeRate
Normal customs duty5%
Existing China Section 3017.5% - 25%
New Section 301 tariff12.5%
Total duty25% - 42.5%

The new China tariff is entered under HTS 9903.05.31.

South Korea: Generally a 12.5% Minimum, Not an Extra 12.5%

South Korea is treated differently.

When the applicable Column 1 duty rate is below 12.5%, the regular duty and new Section 301 duty combine to equal 12.5%.

Examples:

Existing applicable rateNew combined rate
0%12.5%
5%12.5%
10%12.5%
15%15%

Therefore, South Korea’s tariff is not capped at 12.5%. Instead, covered products generally face a minimum combined rate of 12.5%.

The applicable headings are 9903.05.70 and 9903.05.71.

Vietnam: An Additional 12.5%

Covered Vietnamese-origin merchandise is also assessed an additional 12.5%, under HTS 9903.05.84.

For example:

  • Normal duty: 10%
  • New tariff: 12.5%
  • Combined duty: 22.5%

Taiwan: Generally a 10% Minimum Combined Rate

Taiwan is treated more like South Korea than China.

For covered Taiwanese-origin goods:

  • If the applicable Column 1 duty rate is 10% or higher, no additional Section 301 duty is added.
  • If the applicable rate is below 10%, the regular duty plus the new Section 301 duty are combined to equal 10%
Existing applicable rateNew combined rate
0%10%
5%10%
10%10%
15%15%

Are Any Products Exempt?

Yes. The guidance lists exemptions for certain categories, including specified pharmaceutical products, civil aircraft, informational materials, donations and products covered by certain other trade-remedy provisions.

Importers should confirm the product’s HTS classification, country of origin and applicable Chapter 99 numbers before calculating landed cost.

NEW TARIFFS EFFECTIVE JULY 24, 2026

China: +12.5%
South Korea: 12.5% minimum combined rate
Taiwan: 10% minimum combined rate
Vietnam: +12.5%

Need Help Reviewing an Upcoming Shipment?

Cargo Bridge coordinates air and ocean freight from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Send us your product, origin, cargo size, and ready date for a free shipment review.

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